Johannesburg – Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi held a briefing on Wednesday outlining measures to address rising political violence and urban challenges in the province. The briefing covered the establishment of a Political Killings Task Team, the relaunch of the Nasi iSpani programme, informal settlement management, and municipal dysfunction.
The new task team will investigate unresolved political killings, including the deaths of councillors Tippo Motung and Esther Motoman. Lesufi said the initiative will use advanced technology and intelligence partnerships with private sector forensic teams to track suspects, monitor movements, and reopen stalled cases. He added that arrests of key suspects in related crimes have already been made. The provincial police commissioner will detail the task team’s timelines and resources within four weeks.
Lesufi also addressed the growth of informal settlements, noting that 400 new settlements have emerged over the past year. He stated that alternative arrangements will be made for South African residents in these settlements while illegal occupants without documentation will be required to return to their places of origin. The premier said the government has improved housing allocation processes, including buying land and providing basic services for residents to build their own homes.
The relaunch of the Nasi iSpani programme aims to create 45,000 jobs by training unemployed residents in technical skills such as plumbing, welding, painting, and bricklaying. Trainees will be deployed to repair community infrastructure, including schools, roads, and public buildings. Lesufi stressed that this approach strengthens state capacity while reducing reliance on contractors.
Municipal performance was also addressed, particularly in struggling districts with high unemployment and limited revenue collection. Lesufi called for structural and funding reforms, proposing the consolidation of local authorities into metropolitan municipalities to improve service delivery and attract investment.
On social issues, the premier spoke about rising taxi industry disputes and escalating electricity costs. He confirmed that law enforcement will strictly regulate taxi operations and that dissatisfaction with current electricity calculations has been raised with national authorities.
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